Interviews
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Poetry for the People Extended Interview: Leslie Simon
by Paul Buckley Poetry for the People was founded 50 years ago at City College of San Francisco by professor Leslie Simon. Currently housed in the Interdisciplinary Studies department and taught by professor Tehmina Khan, the course celebrates poetry by asking, “how can poetry connect us to our shared humanity?” Forum interviewed Leslie, Tehmina, and…
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An Interview with Vince Gotera
From City College of San Francisco graduate to Poet Laureate of Iowa, Forum contributor and native San Franciscan Vince Gotera talks about his poetic influences: war, the Haight Ashbury, his Filipino heritage, sea dragons, and “the city.”
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“We’re not the heroes of this future”: An interview with Eman Abdelhadi
by Gracia Hernandez Rovelo and Ilgiz Khisavov Thursday March 21, 2024 It’s a sunny day in Dolores Park in San Francisco’s Mission District, and Eman Abdelhadi is soaking up the warm spring sun and enjoying the pleasant March weather – a marked difference from Chicago, where she has flown from. Abdelhadi is sitting for an…
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“The places I went as a child don’t exist anymore”: Interview with Leila Mottley
by Susan Topf Tuesday April 16, 2024 It’s a Tuesday afternoon in Poetry Month and Leila Mottley is on the CCSF Ocean Campus. In an hour, she will be giving a reading co-organized by CCSF’s Women’s & Gender Studies department, Creative Writing department, Project SURVIVE, Poetry for the People, the school of Social Sciences, Behavior…
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A Conversation with Judy Halebsky
Forum student editors Jesse Senzer and Kristie Barlas recently met with author Judy Halebsky to discuss her newest book of poems Spring and a Thousand Years, and her relationship to past poets as well as the craft itself. The full video interview with Halebsky, and her reading of her poem “Portage” is available on the…
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Interview Hatchling by Temme von Lackum Dedlow
“Hatchling” (Poetry) by Temme von Lackum Dedlow Forum: How did you start writing? Dedlow: Writing has been a creative and emotional outlet for me for probably nearly as long as I’ve been able to produce words. I owe a lot of that to early encouragement from family (related and not) and mentors, notably a first…
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Interview Angel of Chill by Veronica Voss-Macomber
“Angel of Chill” (Visual Art) by Veronica Voss-Macomber Forum: We absolutely love this piece! It is so original — what inspired you to create it? Voss-Macomber: I was inspired by my love of illuminated manuscripts (Sixth Century to 1600s) for their display initials, elaborate designs and, as well, with prayer cards because of their “ability”…
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Redneck Daiquiri Interview
“Redneck Daiquiri” (Fiction) by Christopher Williams Forum: In general, what comes first in your writing process, character or plot? Williams: Always character. People, and the relationships between them are what make stories. I’ve tried writing more plot driven pieces in the past, but have always found that without the catalyst of a compelling protagonist the…
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Interview on “Sestina,” by Amy Miles
“Sestina” (Nonfiction), by Amy Miles Forum: Why did you decide to write this particular piece? Miles: Writing has saved me many times; it brings my non-linear mind a sense of calm and focus. I can impose order on my thoughts, seeing and finding patterns through the many messy drafts I write. I can organize and…
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Thea Matthews Interview
Thea Matthews in Conversation with Chloe Hull Born and raised in San Francisco, California, Thea is a queer black feminist activist, poet, educator, and author. She is Afro Latin X with Black, Indigenous, Mexican blood who writes on the complexities of humanity, grief, and resiliency. She earned her BA in Sociology at UC Berkeley where…
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